Professional drain cleaning may be the answer to your slow moving drains. Slow moving drains may be the result of clogs or residue that has built up over time, making it difficult for water to pass freely. The development of clogs resulting in the slow movement of water is something that happens to all plumbing systems over time. What we want to focus on is the why clogs happen and how different techniques, like a drain camera inspection performed by a drain cleaning service can make the difference in improving drain flow.
Here are some of the reasons why drains may become clogged and move slow. These reasons include a buildup of dirt, skin and hair that has not been properly removed, the improper disposal of hygiene products, and the build-up of grease that has solidified in the drain.
Dirt, Skin and Hair Build-up in Your Drains
Whenever you take a bath or shower, dirt, skin and hair follicles ultimately are washed down your drain. When your pipes become inundated with too much hair or dirt, this can lead to clogs that will eventually cause water to pool and move at a slower rate down your drains. This problem is exacerbated when you do not use a mesh drain to separate the build-up of this material from water. A mesh drain can easily be rinsed and cleaned to improve water flow through your drains but a buildup of skin, hair and dirt may result in a costly plumbing procedure.
Improper Disposal of Personal Hygiene Products
Your main sewer drain is the transportation system used to remove waste materials from your home. Unfortunately, in many cases, homeowners believe that this “highway” can handle all types of traffic. This includes flushing paper products, feminine hygiene products and other waste materials that should otherwise not be disposed of through your plumbing system.
One of the ways to properly dispose of these products (including pharmaceuticals found to be harmful to the environment) is to determine if your local waste disposal system has a program for collecting these materials. Such a program may incinerate your waste, posing less environmental impact than flushing them down the toilet and potentially causing damage to your pipes.
Grease Build-up in Your Drains
When you use your kitchen sink and other pipes to dispose of grease, you run the risk of that material coagulating and becoming the source of blockage in your pipes. Grease, which comes from cooking meat or the use of shortening, lard, sauces or other products, sticks and coats the inner lining of your pipes. This build up over time results in slow-moving drains and ultimately pipes that are completely clogged or in need of serious maintenance and repair.
The disposal of grease should be done at specially designated located within your locale. Some grease may be recycled or repurposed if properly stored. Pouring grease down the drain, however, is not a solution for removing it from your home. It can be a direct cause for slow-moving water and the ultimate clogging of your home’s plumbing system.
Usually, you never notice a problem with your drains until it is too late. At Mister Sewer, our team of Pittsburgh plumbers understands plumbing problems occur and sometimes they are simply unavoidable. That is why we offer fast, affordable and efficient solutions to stop the problem at its source. We are trained professionals and have yet to run into a clog that we can’t handle. So if you are in need of drain maintenance or you’re just in need of a proper checkup for your plumbing system, call the experts at Mister Sewer for all your residential plumbing service needs today.
Sources:
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,193799,00.html
https://www.directenergy.com/learning-center/home-improvement/troubleshooting-clogged-drains
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/warning-signs-main-sewer-line-clog.htm
http://msucares.com/pubs/infosheets/is1844.pdf
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/article/216984